Loreen's POV
Loreen climbed out of the carriage with Sairis in his arms and did not stop moving.
He had not stopped moving since the moment he climbed into that tilted carriage on the back road and found his husband unconscious and barely breathing.
He had gathered him up and carried him outside. He got onto the road and called for the fastest carriage they had.
The whole journey back to the palace was filled with fear. Every bump, every turn, and every passing minute made him more afraid.
He had sat with Sairis across his lap, one arm holding him close while his fingers pressed against the side of Sairis's neck. He could feel Sairis's pulse, but it was weak. Not nearly strong enough.
He had counted every beat.
One. Two. Three.
Loreen kept counting because as long as he could feel the pulse, Sairis was still alive. And as long as his heart was still beating, everything was still possible.
He adjusted Sairis in his arms as he took the palace steps three at a time.
